WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES

Before, during and after

Hormonal contraceptives are drugs that are taken when a person has a menstrual cycle in order to protect against unwanted pregnancy. Hormone-based drugs are not only used to avoid pregnancy, but are also prescribed by gynecologists to treat certain diseases such as endometriosis, menstrual dysphoric disorder and polycystic ovary. The key thing to know is that hormonal contraception does not regulate hormones, but deactivates them completely.

What to do before taking a hormonal contraceptive?

How does it affect my menstrual cycle?

How to do and what happens when I stop the contraceptive hormone therapy?

What to do before taking a hormonal contraceptive?

Taking hormonal contraception is equivalent to taking drugs so it is necessary to contact the gynecologist and carry out a guided consultation on the choice of the contraceptive method. What does the advice consist of?
The person is shown how the method is assumed, what are the side effects, what are the benefits and also what are the costs related to the chosen method. You can contact gynecologists who work in hospitals and in the local area or you can request private visits to clinics or private practices. During the consultation there is an evaluation of the family history, the professional needs to know if there are cardiovascular, immunological or neurological diseases and finally evaluates the body mass index, eating habits and in some cases requires blood tests.
Furthermore, the gynecologist must suggest to the person who will soon be taking hormonal contraceptive therapy a check at every slightest suspicion on signs related to the risk factors indicated.

How does it affect our menstrual cycle?

We have said that hormonal contraception does not regulate hormones, but deactivates them completely, eliminating the phase of ovulation with a single gesture. It happens that the physiological menstrual cycle turns off, you press the off button and instead of the natural hormones of our body, synthetic hormones intervene, real drugs that act on the entire genital system, starting from the ovaries, passing from the uterus up to our limbic system. How does the combined method and therefore estrogen-progestogen contraception work? Ovulation does not occur, consequently the cervical mucus changes its consistency becoming less viscous and the internal mucosa of the uterus remains unchanged throughout the menstrual cycle. The alterations of the cervical mucus can produce an increase in vaginal dryness and therefore discomfort during penetration, which is why in this regard it is advisable to integrate with ad hoc lubricants. The progestogen-only contraception acts by increasing the volume and viscosity of the cervical mucus, to prevent the penetration of spermatozoa into the uterus, also in this case ovulation is completely absent and induces an atrophy of the endometrial mucosa to avoid the implantation of the oocyte fertilized, it also reduces the ciliary activity of the fallopian tubes. Let's clarify one thing: the light bleeding that occurs with taking contraceptive hormone therapy is different from the bleeding that the person normally has during menstruation. In fact, let's face it better, the bleeding that occurs when taking the pill has nothing to do with the menstruation phase, for this reason, it is called "fake menstruation". Be careful when taking contraceptive hormone therapy, because not everything could be roses and flowers especially if we know that there are some situations that can interfere with the success of the contraceptive hormonal method. The first is the combined intake of other drugs so let's read well on the leaflet which drugs are indicated and if we should find ourselves in a position to have to take them, remember to write the name of the drugs and the period in which we took them. Another situation could be the presence of vomiting and / or diarrhea during the intake phase. Remember to contact the gynecologist to always be sure that the method works correctly and that there is no risk of unwanted pregnancies .

How to do and what happens when I stop the contraceptive hormone therapy?

Before deciding to discontinue contraceptive hormone therapy, it is important to contact your gynecologist to receive exact information on how to do this and what the post-contraceptive effects may be. Some symptoms could be anxiety, painful periods and increased hair, but don't be scared, it's normal! After taking hormonal drugs, the body needs time to regulate the production of natural hormones, so it is important to have patience to harmonize our hormonal system. The suggestion is to become aware that you have to learn to know your menstrual cycle with other eyes and that to do so it takes perseverance and commitment. So do not be discouraged, but arm yourself with a pen and a pocket notebook, thanks to these two small tools you will be able to get in touch with what your body is telling you through the menstrual cycle and you will be able to communicate to your trusted gynecologist or obstetrician. symptoms that are different or new to your daily life.